Islamabad May 30: PPP Co- Chairman Senator Asif Ali Zardari has said that there was a need for increased investment in the social sector to reduce poverty in the country.

He was addressing a Press Conference along with the Secretary General Socialist International Luis Ayala here on Friday after the conclusion of the Socialist International Asia - Pacific Committee Meeting.

Senator Zardari thanked Socialist International for its support for democracy in all parts of the world in general and for Pakistan in particular. He reminded that Mohtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had always been a regular speaker at the conferences of the Socialist International. He also requested Socialist International to support PPP's demand for the UN probe in her assassination. He informed the media that already a request has been sent to the UN and a meeting has been sought with the Secretary General UN for moving forward the process.

Referring to the democratic struggles going on in the world he said that quite recently the parliament in Nepal had voted  to put an end to monarchy in Nepal that was the predominant system there for 239 years. He said he also had a vision to bring a change in the system through the parliament.

He also eulogized the struggle and sacrifices of the Burma's opposition leader Aung San Sui Kyi for the democratic rights of the people of Burma. He announced that a delegation of Pakistan peoples Party and the government of Pakistan will travel to Burma to express solidarity with her. He said that PPP's government will use all available diplomatic means to help her.

He reminded that Ms. Sui Kyi children's have been kept away from their mother for last five years and demanded that she should be allowed to see her children.

He said that the PPP government was fully aware of the hardships that the masses were facing because of the food inflation and high oil prices. He assured the Pakistani people that despite the economic pressures the upcoming budget will be people friendly.

He said that to introduce targeted subsidies a card based system was being introduced. The card named "Benazir Card' will be given to the poorest of the poor and they will be able to shop on those cards and the subsidy amount will be automatically transferred to those accounts every month.

Mr. Luis Ayala while addressing the press conference said that gradually it is being realized all over the world that governments have to socially responsible and those who have failed to understand had lost elections in number of countries. He thanked the people of Pakistan for hosting the Asia Pacific Committee Meeting and said that sharing
experiences helps us understand each other. He said that those who believe in social democracy need to support each other so that responsible governance can be strengthened all across the world.

 

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